Seven out of 59 editorial jobs are set to go at the Newsquest-owned daily title on top of eight that went last summer.

The proposed cuts include up to four journalists, two editorial support staff and a graphic artist.

Two of the four journalists' jobs are likely to be sub-editing roles with production of The Press and its sister weeklies set to be merged.

Newsquest York acting managing editor Steve Hughes announced the cuts in a staff meeting on the newsroom floor this afternoon.

The move was swiftly condemned by the paper's National Union of Journalists chapel which last year went on strike over pay.

In a statement, joint fathers of chapel Tony Kelly and Gavin Aitchison said: "The Press and its journalists have been battered by repeated cuts in recent years, placing serious strain on our ability to serve the people of York, North Yorkshire and East Yorkshire.

"Today's announcement is a further body-blow to local journalism in our region. We have no faith whatsoever in Newsquest's commitment to quality journalism, nor its ability to deliver it."

A company statement accompanying this afternoon's announcement put the proposed cutbacks down to the general state of the economy.

Mr Hughes declined to comment further.